| Philip Hammond has expressed his desire to “forge new links across the Atlantic” as he touched down in Cuba for a historic visit. His arrival in the capital Havana marks the first visit by a British Foreign Secretary to Cuba since the country’s communist revolution of 1959. The Cabinet minister will take part in meetings to discuss issues ranging from human rights to combating health threats including the deadly Zika virus. Mr Hammond will also be in pursuit of new “co-operation agreements” in areas such as energy, education and culture. "Britain and Cuba have outlooks on the world and systems of government that are very different," Mr Hammond said on his arrival. "But as Cuba enters a period of significant social and economic change, I am looking forward to demonstrating to the Cuban government and people that the UK is keen to forge new links across the Atlantic. "That is why Cuba and the UK are set to reach new cooperation agreements on energy, financial services, education and culture, to the benefit of both our nations. "As the first British Foreign Secretary to visit Cuba since before the Cuban Revolution in 1959, this is an opportunity to hear for myself what Cuba thinks about its present challenges and where it sees its future." According to the Department of Trade and Industry, UK exports to Cuba shot up by 25% in 2015 alone. Mr Hammond’s trip comes after Barack Obama became the first US president since 1928 to visit Cuba last month. |